the gop convention is like trump: a racist sexist homophobic mess

Carri Twigg reports Live from the GOP Convention in Cleveland. She was an Associate Director in the Office of Public Engagement and served as the White House liaison to the labor community. Carri is passionate about being an advocate for workers and families.

The morning after.
I’ve been on the ground in Cleveland for last two days covering the Republican National Convention. The purpose of modern political conventions is for a party to create and accept a platform, formally nominate candidates for President and VP, and produce an elegant, stage-crafted four days of free media. So far this week, the Republicans have accomplished two of those goals. First, they’ve passed a platform that is the most regressive in the history of their party. Among other things it bans access to abortion in the case of rape, calls for a constitutional amendment banning same sex marriage, endorses conversion therapy for LGBTQ individuals (pray the gay away), describes coal as clean energy, bans women from combat roles, and requires The Bible to be taught in public high schools.

credit: PBS

Last night, the Republicans formally nominated Donald J. Trump to be their nominee for president. His running mate will be Mike Pence, the current Governor of Indiana who rose to fame after signing into law legal protections for Indiana business owners who refuse to serve gay customers.

But the real failures have come on the convention stage and the floor itself. Over 80% of the prime-time speakers are white (Melania using First Lady Michelle Obama’s words on Monday night does not count as diversity); and when you look throughout the arena, the lack of black and brown faces is stark. Of the 2,472 delegates responsible for selected Donald Trump, an estimated 18 are black. 18!!! Or .7% of the total number of delegates.

credit: Vox

Oh also – Trump left and went back to New York. Seriously, if I have to be here watching this, The Donald should be forced to as well.

If you STILL need a reason to get involved, I’ll tell you what my mom told me: without you, the government is a cabal of old, straight, white men, sitting in a room deciding how free you are allowed to be.

So get in the room. Or make sure you pick the person who goes in for you.

via Getty Images